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Loading...The State of Washington has over 109 approved home improvement grants, home repairs grants and programs available to low income homeowner families and individuals (most programs are based on income). This article provides you with all the main home repair programs offered throughout the state in 2024.
Who provide home improvement grants in Washington?
There are 4 main sources of financial assistance for home improvement and repair in Washington:
- 1- Federal Programs : HUD (Housing and Urban Development) is the Federal housing agency providing programs and funds to the State, its Counties and Cities.
- 2- State programs : Washington State Housing Finance Commission have program to help homeowners to buy a house needing improvements or repair.
- 3- Local programs: Community Organizations provide repair programs to certain homeowners.
- 4- Rural programs: Rural programs are for people living outside of a major city in a rural area. They are offered by the USDA.
- 5- Counties and cities programs : Most counties and cities have organizations offering funds and programs to help Washington’s homeowners with home repair, home rehabilitation and home improvement.
You can review the Federal and the State of Washington home repair grants but ultimately your county and city are the ones you need to contact and where you apply for funding.
Who is eligible for government home improvement grant?
Every homeowner is eligible for home improvement and repairs grants and assistance in Washington (find them all in this article). In reality, because the needs are so big, some groups like seniors, veterans, disabled and low-income households are given priority. Even if you’re in those groups, you need to apply as soon as possible because funds are limited.
So it’s often first arrived on a first served basis: apply early.
Each programs have their own eligibility, so you need to verify with programs in your area to see info you meet the income eligibility level.
Which home improvement & repair are covered?
In general, Washington’s have repair and improvement help with:
- – Ensure your home does not harm the residents’ health.
- – Ensure your home structure is sound and may not hurt its resident.
- – Help seniors and disabled residents stay in their homes longer and safer.
More precisely the following work and repair are usually covered by home improvement grants programs:
- – Roof: Government grants for free roof replacement or repair. See also our Guide to Roof Repairs.
- – Windows & doors: Florida window replacement program info is right below. We have also a Homeowners Guide for Windows Replacement
- – Foundations: Foundation repair grants and programs usually covers home foundation repairs.
- – Electrical & plumbing : Grants for electrical repair and plumbing assistance repairs are covered as long as they bring your home electrical and plumbing up to the local code.
- – Heating & cooling: Some States and Counties have heating grants and cooling programs to bring your system up to living standards.
- – Lead paints & pipes plus asbestos: Most programs cover the removal and change of lead and asbestos materials dangerous to your health.
- – Sewers and water line: Most home improvement grant programs cover funds to have your home connected to your town water and sewer system and in other cases to your well or septic tank.
- – Home structure: In some cases, if your home structure is no longer safe, programs will help with fixing the home structural problems. Note: in some cases the cost may be too high to fix and another program can help get a new one.
- – Home remodeling: In some cases a home can be remodeled if they need major repairs as long as the cost is not prohibitive. Since the total amount vary by program you have to verify on this page for programs in your area.
- – Bathroom remodeling: Some programs let you remodel a bathroom in order to bring them to sanitary and health standard.
- – Home modifications for seniors: There are multiple programs to modify seniors’ homes to help them living longer independently at home. Common modification are ramps, handle bars, bathrooms modification and kitchen are adaptations. You can find those resources in our resource for senior home modifications.
Confused about home improvement programs terms?
It can be confusing to understand the terms. Lots of different organizations have different words for the same type of help programs: home improvement grant, home repair grants, programs, free grants, relief service, repair assistance, etc.
They are all synonyms of programs designed to help low and moderate income homeowners repair and fix important element of their house.
What are the types of home improvement help in Washington?
Home repair programs comes in many form but they are usually in the 5 types:
Home Repair Grants & Home Improvement Grants: Typically grants don’t need to be repaid. The organization providing the funding covers the cost of the work and you don’t pay anything back.
Volunteers and charities home repairs: Some organizations rely on volunteers to repair your home so there’s no cost to you.
Home improvement loans: These are traditional loans where you have to repay a fixed amount monthly but they are usually with a lower than normal interest rate.
Home improvement loans paid at term: It’s a traditional loan paid back in full only when you leave or sell your home. This means you have nothing to pay monthly. The organization offering these loans usually takes a lien on your home to be certain to be paid in the future.
Forgivable home improvement loans: It’s a traditional loan but you do have to pay it back monthly. Instead after a few years the organization forgives your loan.
Note: In some rare cases you may find yourself with a mix of the types above. In all cases the important thing is you get help to fix your home and keep it secured and a place for you to live in a safe and healthy home.
HUD (Urban Housing Department) (2 programs)
HUD is the federal agency funding the Washington’s Housing agencies: in its counties and cities. HUD have many programs from home buyer help, renter help, homeowners funding among many for home repairs and improvements.
2 loans programs helps people renovate, rehabilitate or improve their home (mobile homes included). Both are loan insurances for Washington State homeowners who couldn’t otherwise get a loan:
Rehabilitation and repair loan (insurance): Known as “Title I Property Improvement Loan Program”, it helps you if you have not enough equity for a traditional loan, and the FHA (part of HUD) insure your loan for your lender.
- – House Loan amount limit: $25,000
- – Mobile home Loan amount limit: $25,090
203(k) Rehabilitation Mortgage Insurance: This a special FHA loan that allows you to finance both the purchase or refinancing of a house and the cost of renovations into a single mortgage.
- – Limited 203k loan: Projects less than $35,000.
- – Standard 203k loan: Projects over $35,000.
In both Tittle 1 and 203(k), the money for the renovations is put in an escrow account and is only released to the contractor when the work is completed and inspected by a qualified professional. This helps ensure that the renovations are done properly and that the money is used for its intended purpose. It protects both the lender and you the homeowner.
State of Washington (17 program)
The state have a few programs to help homeowner repair their home. You can find them below.
Washington State Housing Finance Commission (1 program)
The WSHFC does not offer direct home repair or improvement programs to homeowners contrary to most other states housing authorities. They do offer funding when you want to buy a home who need repair.
Washington’s resident have can look into their county or city, local organizations or rural area resources to find home repair help.
Washington Homeownership Resource Center (1 program)
Home Repair & Modifications: This organization have a hotline to help resident walk through available programs. You can call it at : 877-894-4663.
Washington State Department of Commerce (1 program)
Home Rehabilitation Grants: This new program will start early 2024. It’ll offer up to $50,000 to low-income homeowners.
Washington Emergency & Disaster (many resources)
Washington Emergency Management have a list of resources when you have been affected by a disaster. Most of the programs are federal programs.
FEMA (10s of resources)
When the Federal Agency FEMA declare some area(s) of Washington a disaster area, the area’s residents can then apply for financial aid.
You can find if your area is declared a disaster area by FEMA then if it is, claim disaster assistance with the federal government. If you’re impacted by a disaster, you may be able to claim housing, financial, food, medical, etc.
SBA (4 programs)
Washington WAP & LIHEAP (2 programs)
WAP
Weatherization Assistant Program (WAP) is funded by the Federal but managed locally. It helps improve or change windows for energy efficient ones at no cost. It also pay for attic insulation and ventilation, repair or replace broken heating, cooling and water heaters, as well as many other small work to improve your home’s energy efficiency.
| Spent per Home | Homes Weatherized | Budget | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington |
$8,004 |
3,300 | $36M |
Types of assistance:
- – Address air infiltration with weather stripping, caulking, thresholds, minor repairs to walls, ceilings and floors, and window and door replacement
- – Install attic and floor insulation.
- – Install attic ventilation.
- – Apply solar reflective coating to manufactured homes.
- – Install solar screens.
- – Repair or replace inefficient heating and cooling units.
- – Repair or replace water heaters.
Find the program detail and also find on the map which local organization you can apply directly .
LIHEAP
This program is called Energy Assistance Program (EAP) in Washington. It is mostly to help pay your heating and cooling cost but it may also help fix, repair or replace broken windows for energy efficient ones.
Find more info about the program eligibility or see on the page map your closest agency managing the program.
Washington Rural Residents (1 program)
The USDA provide home improvement loans and government grants to low-income homeowners in Washington’s rural areas.
Who may apply for this program? To qualify, you must:
- – Be the homeowner and occupy the house.
- – Be unable to obtain affordable credit elsewhere.
- – Have a family income below 50 percent of the area median income.
- – For grants, be age 62 or older and not be able to repay a repair loan.
What is an eligible area?
Applicants may check the address of their home to determine eligibility.
How may funds be used?
Loans may be used to repair, improve or modernize housing or remove health and safety hazards.
Grants must be used to remove health and safety hazards.
How much money can I get?
- – Maximum loan is $40,000
- – Maximum grant is $10,000
- – Loans and grants can be combined for up to $50,000 in payment assistance
What are the terms of the loan or grant?
- – Loans can be repaid over 20 years
- – Loan interest rate is fixed at 1%
- – Full title service is required for loans of $7,500 or more
- – Grants have a lifetime limit of $7,500
- – Grants must be repaid if the property is sold in less than 3 years
- – If applicants can repay part, but not all of the costs, applicants may be offered a loan and grant combination
Is there a deadline to apply?
Applications for this program are accepted through your local USDA’s RD office all year round.
How long does an application take?
Approval times depend on funds availability in your area.
Seniors and Elderly Help for Home Repairs (many programs)
There are official elderly home repair assistance in Washington but they are not only for seniors. Seniors, just like all Washingtonians, are eligible to the same home improvement programs listed on this page.
You can also contact your local Area Agency on Aging to find local programs for seniors home repairs and home modifications.
You can also find home modifications for seniors.
Window Replacement (4 programs)
Find in a specific article information explaining Washington window replacement programs.
Local Community Organizations (87 programs)
Community Action Partnership (30 resources)
This non-profit have 30 local organisations helping with, among other things, weatherization, LIHEAP plus home repair and home rehabilitation.
Habitat for Humanity (26 programs)
With 26 local organizations in Washington, Habitat provide help to low income, disable and elderly homeowners to fix their home. Find and contact your local Habitat organization.
Restores (17 resources)
There are 17 Restores in Washington providing discounted used and surplus building materials, plus appliances and furniture at lower cost.
Rebuilding Together (4 programs)
The non-profit Rebuilding Together have 4 local chapters in the State to help low-income homeowners with home repair and home modifications.
Veterans home repair & modifications (1 program)
The State does not have a specific program for veterans’ home repairs. But veterans can often have their homes repaired or modified by organization like Habitat for Humanity.
Veterans Affairs (1 program)
Cashout refinance: The VA offer veterans loans to help pay for home improvements and repairs.
Washington’s Counties and Cities Programs (42 programs)
Most Washington counties have approved home repair and government grant programs and most major cities also have similar help for homeowners. You can find most of them below.
If you don’t see your county or city below you should contact its housing or community affair department directly and ask them if the city have a home repair program. If you live in a rural area you can be eligible to the USDA home repair programs.
King County (5 programs)
Housing Repair: The program provides different funding for housing repair services to low-income homeowners and special needs renters in most parts of King County.
- – Deferred Loan: Provides up to $25,000, no interest.
- – Matching Funds Loan: Provides up to $25,000, no interest, with matching funds from the homeowner for a total of $50,000. Repayment conditions apply.
- – Manufactured Home Grants: Offers up to $8,000 for repairs for people in manufactured home parks or on leased land.
- – Emergency Grants: Offers up to $6,000 to address urgent or life-threatening conditions.
- – Home Accessibility Modification Grants: For renters, offers up to $8,000 for modifications like wheelchair ramps, shower conversions, and more.
Renton (1 program)
Housing Repair Assistance: Provides minor home repairs to eligible Renton residents’ homes to support the health and safety of the occupants. No cost to eligible City homeowners.
More Detailed Information & Application
Bellevue (4 programs)
Home Repair: Provides low to moderate-income homeowners with zero percent interest home loans and grants for repairs related to health and safety issues.
Deferred Payment: Loans with no-interest that do not have to be paid back until the homeowner sells the home or it is transferred to a new owner.
Work can include:
- – Faulty plumbing
- – Unsafe electrical wiring
- – Poor heating
Grants: Restricted to health and safety hazards requiring more immediate attention and for those who do not qualify for a loan.
Example of repairs include:
- – Sewer back-up and emergency plumbing repairs
- – Hot water heater repair and/or replacement
- – and so on
Minor Home Repair Assistance: Provides low-income homeowners with smaller-scale home repairs.
Find More Information about All Programs Above
Kent (1 program)
Home Repair: The program is paid by the city and sends contractors to do small repairs such as plumbing, electrical, carpentry, disabled access, and more.
City of Seattle (1 program)
Home Repair: Provides affordable no-interest loans to income-qualified homeowners to address critical health, safety, and structural issues. Designed for owner-occupied single-family homes.
List of eligible work includes:
- – Accessibility needs and modifications
- – Appliances
- – and so on
Pierce County (3 programs)
Home Repairs: The program provides home repairs to income-eligible populations in the form of a grant, aiming to improve housing conditions by providing emergency repairs at no cost to the eligible resident. All work is performed by licensed and bonded contractors. Residents within the city limits of Tacoma and Lakewood are not eligible for this program.
Emergency projects are given priority. For example, if you are without heat or hot water, problem causing water damages, or electric problems.
Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity
Aging in Place Critical Home Repair: The program assists homeowners age 60+ and disabled Veterans. It provides adaptive home modifications and repairs such as grab bars, railings, improved lighting, zero-step entries, and wheelchair ramps, which can greatly reduce or eliminate many mishaps and resulting injuries.
Rebuilding Together South Sound
Home Repair: The program involves smaller-scale, critical health and safety repairs completed by Rebuilding Together South Sound construction team, subcontractor, or skilled volunteers. Repairs are completed throughout the year.
Tacoma (1 program)
Single Family Residence Rehabilitation: The program assists low and moderate-income Tacoma homeowners in preserving the quality and stability of their home. Loans up to $60,000 are available. The loan carries a one percent (1%) simple interest and, depending on the condition and income status of the homeowner, may not require a monthly payment. Households must earn 80% or less of the area median.
Eligible work includes:
- – Roof replacement
- – Exterior and interior painting
- – Window replacement
- – Carpet and flooring replacement
- – Heating and air system replacement
- – Electrical work
- – Sewer repair or installation
- – Termite and pest repair
- – Repair/replace concrete that presents a safety concern, such as sidewalks, driveways, and ADA ramps
- – Door and window screen repair or replacement
- – Foundation or structural repairs
Snohomish County (2 programs)
Habitat for Humanity Snohomish
Repair Service: Program assists homeowners in remaining in their homes by making needed repairs, preserving exteriors, and installing a limited range of aging-in-place and accessibility improvements.
Service includes the following work:
- – Exterior painting (whole house, trim, shutters)
- – Exterior power washing, scraping, caulking
- – Window repair (screen, storm windows) – not including installation
- – Porch repair/porch railing, handrail
- – Gutter repair
- – Soffit/fascia repair
- – Siding repair/replacement
- – Weather stripping/minor weatherization
- – Exterior accessibility improvements such as ramps
- – Fencing repair
- – Brush and debris removal
- – Ramps and accessibility additions
Homage
Minor Home Repair: Program assists older and disabled low- and moderate-income homeowners by providing health and safety related repairs that they cannot perform due to lack of funds and/or inability to physically perform the repairs themselves.
Following work is possible:
- – Plumbing/sewer repair
- – Minor carpentry
- – Limited roof repair
- – Door/window repair
- – Select weatherization
- – Ramp repair
- – Handrails/grab bars
- – Door locks
- – Smoke alarms/carbon monoxide detectors
Everett (1 program)
HOME REPAIR & RENOVATION: The City offers home repair and renovation services through its Community Housing Improvement Program (CHIP). A CHIP Inspector will inspect your home, assist with recommendations of the most important work to be completed, write detailed bid specifications, obtain bids from CHIP approved contractors, and monitor the construction work. There is no charge to the client for these services.
CHIP has funds available for owner-occupied and non-owner occupied housing rehabilitation. Loans are based on available home equity.
Spokane County (0 county wide program)
No program.
Spokane (2 programs)
Home Rehabilitation: Program offers loans of $10,000 to $50,000 for low- and moderate-income homeowners for needed home repairs to address in-home health and safety deficiencies and reduce home expenses.
Common repairs include:
- – Roof replacement
- – Sewer replacement
- – Plumbing
- – Electrical
- – Window and door replacement
- – Accessibility modifications
Minor Home Repair: Grants for up to $6,000 for small, critical repairs that allow low- and moderate-income homeowners to remain safely at home.
Common repairs include:
- – Leaking faucets
- – Hot water heaters
- – Furnace tune-ups
- – Appliance repairs
- – Minor electrical work
- – Accessibility modifications
More Information for Both Programs Above
Clark County (1 program)
Single-Family Housing Rehabilitation: Program rehabilitates homes to improve livability, increase energy efficiency, or modify for accessibility. The home is inspected by a Rehabilitation Specialist to determine if the repairs requested are within the scope of the program.
The maximum amount available for financial assistance is $35,000, available as a grant. To be eligible, the household income must not exceed 80% of the area’s median family income.
Types of eligible repairs:
- – Exterior repairs
- – Roof repair/replacement
- – Electrical, plumbing, or mechanical repairs to existing systems
- – Reconstruction or replacement of structural components
- – Septic repair/replacement
- – Roll-in showers and grab bars
- – Ramps
Vancouver (1 program)
Housing Rehabilitation: Program provides loans for basic home repairs to qualified low-income homeowners within the city limits. The loans’ interest is 2%, with a loan amount of up to $35,000, and no payments required until the house is sold. Qualifying households earn 80% or less of Vancouver’s Area Median Income.
Priorities are to address:
- – Structural deficiency
- – Dry rot
- – Foundation repair
- – Weatherization
- – Internal elements including electrical, mechanical, and plumbing deficiencies
- – Sustainability
- – Cosmetic issues
Thurston County (2 programs)
South Puget Sound Habitat for Humanity
Critical Home Repair: Program provides stability for homeowners by preserving older homes for safer, easier maintenance.
Examples of interior and exterior improvements:
- – Steps, porch, or wheelchair ramp construction
- – Walkways
- – Window repair or replacement
- – Exterior door repair or replacement
- – Exterior scraping, caulking, and painting
- – Extensive siding and trim repair or replacement
- – Interior accessibility such as doorways and bathrooms
- – Interior repairs needed for the health and safety of the occupants
- – Other repairs considered on a case-by-case basis
Rebuilding Together Thurston County
Safe At Home: The program addresses home modifications for accessibility and safety, such as installing ramps, handrails, grab bars, and emergency repairs needed to maintain basic living conditions, such as running water and a working toilet.
Kitsap County (2 programs)
Weatherization: Program available to homeowners and renters throughout Kitsap County based on funding availability, eligibility requirements, and existing wait lists.
Services can include:
- – Air sealing measures such as weather stripping and caulking
- – Insulation measures
- – Health and safety issues such as indoor air quality
- – Heating system repairs, and more
Home Rehabilitation: Program available through Housing Kitsap allowing homeowners to repair roof leaks, wiring, address health and safety concerns, and weatherize affordably. Offers interest-free, deferred-payment loans that are due upon sale of the home, home refinance, if the home is no longer the borrower’s primary residence, or after 20 years.
Yakima County (4 programs)
Homeowner Rehabilitation: Program to fix or repair health and safety deficiencies in their home. The residence must be occupied by the homeowner and have a household income at or below 50% of the area median income.
Examples of what may be repaired or replaced:
- – Bathrooms
- – Doors and windows
- – Electrical wiring
- – Flooring such as carpet, tile, vinyl, or laminate
- – Foundations
- – Heating
- – Plumbing
- – Wells
- – Roofs
- – Siding
- – Lead, asbestos, and mold abatement
- – Accessibility modifications as part of the overall rehabilitation
Opportunities Industrialization Center (OIC)
HOME REHABILITATION LOAN: Program includes:
– WEATHERIZATION OF HOME INCLUDES:
- – Foundation & structural repair
- – Energy-related improvements
- – Lead-based paint & asbestos remediation
- – Handicap accessible improvements
- – Roofing repair & replacements
- – Plumbing, septic, & drain repair
- – Window replacement
- – Remodels
- – Heating, cooling install, repair, and/or replacement
WEATHERIZATION: Program includes:
- – Ceiling, wall, or floor insulation
- – Infiltration reduction
- – Domestic hot water improvements
- – Heating system improvements, replacement, &/or repair
- – Combustion safety
- – Moisture mitigation
- – Ventilating home properly
More Information on Both Programs Above
Yakima City (1 program)
Emergency Repair & Exterior Paint: There is very little information about this program. You need to contact the city for more information if you are interested.
Whatcom County (5 programs)
Opportunity Council
Home Repair Loan: Program funding are deferred, low-interest loans provided to income-qualifying homeowners to address repairs focusing on:
- – home foundation repair or installation
- – roof repair or replacement
- – plumbing
- – electrical
- – septic siding
- – floor
- – gutters
- – other repairs helping meet safety standards.
Weatherization: Program helps your home’s energy efficiency, indoor air quality, and addresses health and safety concerns. Services focus on attic, floor, and wall insulation, reducing drafts, heating system cleaning and safety inspection, and ventilation improvements. Available to both homeowners and renters with landlord permission.
LIHEAP Furnace Repair and Replacement: Program provides furnace repair and replacement to owner-occupied homes in Whatcom, Island, and San Juan counties that are LIHEAP eligible. Typical work includes repairing or replacing air handlers, baseboards, wall heaters, furnaces, and venting systems. Please note that we do not offer duct cleaning.
More Details and Contact for 3 Programs Above
Habitat for Humanity of Whatcom County
Critical Home Repair: The program offers major home repairs and improvements to maintain safe living conditions and home value. Repairs include, but are not limited to, weatherization, painting, landscaping, and roofing.
Bellingham city (1 program)
Home Rehabilitation: Program helps owners with a loan within the city limits of Bellingham in the repair or rehabilitation of their homes to a safe and livable condition.
Benton County (2 programs)
Benton Franklin Community Action Committee
Home Weatherization: Program offers weatherization to low-income family housing. The program is free and is available to renters and homeowners living in single-family houses, mobile homes and multi-family dwellings.
Weatherization measures:
- – Attic insulation and venting
- – Wall insulation
- – Floor or perimeter insulation and venting
- – Duct Insulation (for central heating)
- – Water heater wrap
- – Clock thermostat (for central heating)
- – Infiltration (weather-stripping, caulking, etc.)
Richland city (1 program)
EMERGENCY REPAIR PROGRAM: Program offers funding for urgent repairs (up to $5,000) to low-income owner-occupied households within Richland. Emergency repair loans shall be in the form of a deferred, no-interest property lien that will be due and payable once the property is sold, refinanced or the owner does not occupy the property as their primary residence.
Urgent eligible repairs related to: furnaces, water heaters, roofs, egress, minor ADA, electrical or sewer issues.
Skagit County (1 program)
Skagit Habitat for Humanity
Habitat Helpers: Program focuses primarily on repair and rehab projects that will improve the quality of life for the homeowner and provide a safe, healthy place to live. Work can include critical repair projects, such as improving handicap accessibility ramps and replacing steps/handrails for safety.
Cowlitz County (0 program)
No program.
Grant County (0 program)
No program.